King's Academy, January 28, 2010—Faisal Al-Husry '10 and Noor-Eddin Amer '12 were respectively declared the English and Arabic 2010 declamation champions following the championship round of the First Annual Declamation Competition held at school meeting Monday.

Leading up to that selection, the eight King's Academy declamation finalists--from the first round of the competition held on January 13--demonstrated their rhetorical and persuasive skills in both English and in Arabic.

Two students from each grade--one in each language--spoke about redemption, jealousy, apologizing for mistakes, the history of the war in the Gaza strip, a favorite book and poem, the concept of youth and responsibility, the Israeli and Palestinian conflict and lastly, problems with the contemporary Arab world. 

The judging panel consisted of students, faculty members and a guest judge, Senator and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities HE Akel Biltaji.

Speaking about the finalists, Headmaster Dr. Eric Widmer said: "We respect their courage for standing up before you for the first time in the history of the school, one we hope will be an annual tradition."  

"Everyone performed flawlessly," said Faculty Member Sandra Hamilton, who organized the event. Everyone listened attentively and it was truly a marvelous event."

Following the eight declamations, the judges retired to the foyer to deliberate while the audience enjoyed pre-selected pieces of classical music performed by George Steele '10, Dima Alhourani '12 and Faculty Member Reem Abu Rahmeh. One piece featured a silent, but powerful slideshow dedicated to the current, post-earthquake situation in Haiti. 

Husry, this year's English declamation champion, spoke about the problems plaguing the Middle East and how the current generation has a responsibility to address these issues and not leave them to the next generation as their ancestors have done.

"Education is the future of the Middle East, but it is severely lacking," said Al-Husry in his declamation.

Noor-Eddin Amer '12, the Arabic declamation champion, spoke about the war in the Gaza Strip and its aftermath.

"Even when you don't understand the language, a message can still be conveyed," said Deputy Headmaster and Dean of Students Julianne Puente.